Welcome to the North
The International Welcome Center North helps you arrange practical matters (obtaining your residence permit, municipal registration, and BSN number), provides information on living, working or studying in the Netherlands, and offers events to help you integrate here —all in one place.
We’re open Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:30.
The IWCN is closed for the holidays from 22 December 2025 through 2 January 2026.
Our Services
Our latest blog post
How to Avoid Rental Scams in Groningen
Intercultural Afternoon Groningen, in collaboration with Groningen Professionals
Symposium: Art Across Energy, Climate and Sustainability – Groningen
Groningen Walking Club
Info Event: Working in the Netherlands for non-EU nationals – a Collaboration with Gopher
Share your Culture Series: Boba Meetup – Groningen
Intercultural Afternoon Groningen, in collaboration with Groningen Professionals
Expats in Groningen Meetup
Share your Culture Series: Boba Meetup – Groningen
Join our events!
News from the North
Municipality explores temporary use of vacant sites for arts, culture and hospitality
The Municipality of Groningen has many vacant plots of land. At the request of the municipal council, the municipality will investigate whether these sites can be used temporarily for hospitality venues, arts and culture, sports, or play facilities. During the council meeting on Wednesday, 19 November, the council unanimously adopted a motion calling for a […]
Far-right texts displayed on Martini Hospital website due to hack
A shock for people who tried to visit the Martini Hospital website on Wednesday morning: the text “Heil Hitler” appeared prominently on the homepage for a short time. The cause was a hack carried out by a group of cybercriminals called Black Witch, according to the Dagblad van het Noorden. The hospital’s website has since […]
Kwinkenplein redevelopment: “The area will become more attractive to shoppers”
At the beginning of October, the first sod was turned in Oude Ebbingestraat. This is the first of many, because Kwinkenplein, Kreupelstraat, Sint Walburgstraat and Kattenhagen are undergoing a thorough redevelopment. “It’s going to be really beautiful, we’re excited about what’s going to happen here”, says Gert-Jan Rodenboog, project manager at the Municipality of Groningen. […]
About Us
About Us
Feel at home in the North in just a few steps
We understand there are many things to take care of when getting settled in a new country.
That’s why it’s our mission to provide a welcoming space where you can take care of everything at one convenient location.
25+
3
45,000+
We helped 45,000+ international people
“I have lived in several countries (USA, Germany, Russia, Egypt) but I have to say that I have had the best experience at the Welcome Center in Groningen. Thank you again!”
“How happy it makes me to learn that the flowers got there and that they brightened up everyone’s day! This was my goal.
You guys work hard, and I wanted to make sure you guys know that your work is meaningful and very well appreciated in the city.”
“I would recommend the IWCN for new Internationals, who would like help finding their feet, but also for those who have been in the Northern Netherlands, as the information on offer is very extensive!”
“The idea to have such an office to welcome foreigners is a formidable one and this is a good tangible result. I wish there had been such an office, and people like you, 13 years ago when we arrived. It would probably have made our lives so much better, especially the first years!”
